Arcadia Awakens - Kai Meyers (Guest Review)

Summary: To New Yorker Rosa Alcantara, the exotic world of Sicily, with its network of Mafia families and its reputation for murder and intrigue, is just that—exotic, and wholly unknown. But when tragedy strikes, she must travel there, to her family’s ancestral home, where her sister and aunt have built their lives and where centuries of family secrets await her. Once there, Rosa wastes no time falling head over heels for Alessandro Carnevare, the son of a Sicilian Mafia family, whose handsome looks and savage grace both intrigue and unsettle her. But their families are sworn enemies, and her aunt and sister believe Alessandro is only using Rosa to infiltrate the Alcantara clan. And when Rosa encounters a tiger one night—a tiger with very familiar eyes—she can no longer deny that neither the Carnevares nor the Alcantaras are what they seem.
Ancient myths brought to life in the Sicilian countryside, dangerous beasts roaming the hills, and a long history of familial bloodlust prove to Rosa that she can’t trust anyone—not even her own family. Torn between loyalty to her aunt and love for her family’s mortal enemy, Rosa must make the hardest decision of her life: stay in Sicily with her new love . . . or run as far and as fast as she can. (From Goodreads)

--------------------------

Hey everyone! I want to introduce a new guest reviewer for In the Best Worlds - Jackie! She's a lovely person and an avid reader. We actually have very similar tastes in books. We met at the University of Denver Publishing Institute and now we're roommates in New York. Jackie is a former intern of New Leaf Literary (they represent Leigh Bardugo, Veronica Roth, Dan Krokos and so many more amazing authors!) and she just started working at Penguin as a subsidiary rights assistant. She's pretty much amazing and hopefully you'll be seeing her around the blog a lot more! So do me a solid and show her some love for her first review! 

You can find Jackie on Twitter and show her some love! 

--------------------------

This book seriously rocked my world. Sicilian mafia, badass chick, hot boy (Alessandro...even the name is hot), mystery, mythology, legends, fast cars, love, secrets, and loyalty. This book seriously has it all, and it takes it to the next level. I'm not usually a huge fan of paranormal, but Arcadia Awakens totally pulls it off using such original stories.

My favorite part of this book? Rosa Alcantara and Alessandro Carnevare have the most amazing star-crossed romance. Not the love at first sight kind of love that doesn't make sense. My pet peeve in books is when two characters fall in love all of a sudden, and there doesn't even seem to be an explanation why. That's not the case with Rosa and Alessandro. She's a cynical, kind of devious, damaged girl from New York City, and he is the capo of his Sicilian mafia clan (hot!). They bring out the best in each other, and it is adorable. 

Just in case I haven't mentioned it yet, this book takes place in Sicily. Rosa moves from the big city to Italy to change her life (note to self, always move to Italy if the opportunity arises). It does change her life, but in so many more ways than she could have imagined. At times, they just whip around the countryside in expensive sports cars. Excuse me while I drool! There is really something for everyone in this book.

I love never knowing who to trust in this book. That sounds weird, but it's true. Opposing mafia clans with inner conflict mixed with death and love affairs makes for some shifty characters and trust issues. It makes it even crazier that despite all the betrayal going on in their own families, Rosa and Alessandro keep faith in each other. Call me sappy, but their love is so amazing. 

I honestly can't even think of something I didn't like in this book. There is a lot going on, and around every corner there is something new brought to the story, but the author does an outstanding job at keeping the reader clued in just enough to keep them completely hooked. I cannot wait for more Alessandro and Rosa. Bring it on!